Is Dollywood better than Disney? It was the summer of 1978. I was about to be 5. My mom and my Aunt Amy loaded into an automobile of the age. In other words, a gigantic steel rectangle with a massive backseat that featured considerably more in car ashtrays than seat belts. Mom’s parents – Nanny and Papaw to me –
The Best Things To Do in the Smoky Mountains in the Summertime Ah, summertime in the Smoky Mountains – the kids are out of school, the temperature is hot and humid, and the mosquitos are out to play. Families are packing up their minivans and attempting the impossible, aka, trying to please everyone for the annual summer getaway. But the
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Rides at Dollywood I grew up with Pigeon Forge, Tenn. in my backyard. As a result, I visited Dollywood nearly every summer and every holiday weekend since childhood. I’ve had the distinct privilege of not only watching our beloved park evolve over the years but also the opportunity to ride every ride in the
The Best Ice Cream shops in Pigeon Forge, according to a local There was a time – for centuries of human existence – when no one alive had ever tasted ice cream. Seriously. Julius Caesar never knew the joys of a waffle cone. But you? You can get a rocky road cone or a bowl of butter pecan or a bucket of
A list of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge with kids, according to a local You’ve brought the family to Pigeon Forge. Now what? Great news, person who doesn’t do a heck of a lot of planning for family vacations! There are quite literally hundreds of fun things to do in the area. And certainly, not all of
A local’s guide to the best restaurants Italian Restaurant’s in Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge menus are chocked to the gills with pasta, pizza, salad and sandwiches – all boasting authentic pasta flavors. But do you want good Italian food in the region? Altruda’s in West Knoxville has some of the best Italian food in East Tennessee. It’s worth the drive if
A New Wave of Taco Restaurants Puts the Classic Mexican Dish on the Frontline of the Smoky Mountain Culinary Scene For decades, the Smoky Mountain dining scene has been dominated by the ubiquitous pancake house, all following a similar mode. Open for breakfast and lunch with menus featuring familiar breakfast favorites and a handful of sandwiches and burgers. The model
An insider’s guide on what not to do when visiting Pigeon Forge, the surrounding area As someone who frequents Pigeon Forge, I know too well that when planning a vacation, in the words of a musical maestro, it’s about knowing when to hold them and knowing when to fold them. When you plan your next trip to the Smokies, I want
Celebrating the Unique Dining Spots in the Smokies Mimicry in the Smokies is king. Success breeds imitation. That’s why everywhere you look, it’s pancake houses and go-kart tracks and mountain coasters as far as the eye can see. But the Smokies isn’t all about imitation. Some folks eye the landscape and decide to carve their own path. When everyone else
The days of seeing cars lined up with ‘For Sale’ signs along the Parkway are over In my 30 years in the area, Rod Runs meant classic cars lining the parkway adjacent spots in Pigeon Forge. Some were there to ogle the classic cars. Others were there to trade, dicker and deal. However, Pigeon Forge officials, at the request of